Orchids are fairly easy to care for, and will rebloom year after year in the right conditions. They make wonderful houseplants, and a collection of several different varieties can reward you with year-round blooms. The delicate flowers dangling from skinny stems is what makes orchids look so exotic… and it’s also what makes them look like they’d be really hard to grow. But they aren’t as difficult as you may think....
Drying basil is quick and easy, and there are so many wonderful uses for it. In this post, I’ll show you five of the best ways to do it, with step by step instructions for each. If you want to enjoy your homegrown basil for many months, drying it is the perfect choice. You can use it to fill up your spice rack, and to add to countless recipes. In this article I am going to show you how to dry basil using 5 simple methods that you can do right at home....
Hot red pepper flakes can be used to spice up just about any recipe, and taste great with everything. You can simply sprinkled it over the top of a dish, or mix it in to any of your favorite foods to give them an extra kick. Making your own crushed red pepper will give you the freshest and spiciest flavor possible! And it tastes much, much better than the stuff that you buy from the store....
Watering bromeliads is different than it is for other plants, but doing it the right way is very important. So in this post, I’ll tell you exactly when, how much, and how often they need it, and show you how to do it the right way. Properly watering bromeliads isn’t as straightforward as it is for other plants, so it can be tricky to get the hang of for beginners....
One of the biggest challenges of growing in pots is the fact that the potting soil can’t regenerate or gain any extra nutrients from the earth. Plus the roots of a container grown plant can’t sprawl out or go deeper into the soil to get what it needs. Plants growing in pots depend completely on us to give them what they need to survive. That’s why it’s super important to choose the best soil for container gardening....
Garden pest control can become one of the most disheartening and time consuming problems that growers face. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Not all bugs are bad! In fact, some are essential to keeping your garden healthy and thriving. Once you understand how to work with nature instead of against it, your job will become much easier. Getting rid of garden pests shouldn’t be the main goal here....
A friend of mine just bought a new house and she recently asked me “Do you have any tips for winterizing gardens in the fall?”. This is a great question and one I get asked often. So I was inspired to share my checklist for putting my garden to bed in the fall. Don’t Get Overwhelmed By Winterizing Gardens Before you read on or start scrolling down, let me just say that this list is looooong....
If you’re growing Russian sage plant (Perovskia atriplicifolia) in your garden, then you know how bad they can look after the winter. All those dead branches leave your plant looking ugly and half dead. So it’s important to learn how to cut back Russian sage to keep it looking its best all summer long. But don’t worry! When it comes to pruning plants, Russian sage is one of the easiest to do....
This DIY cattle panel trellis creates an arch tunnel, and adds a magnificent architectural element to the garden. In this post I’ll give you the step by step instructions for how to make your own. Arches are one of my favorite structures to use in my garden. Not only are they beautiful, they’re functional too because they can provide a huge amount of vertical growing space. I made the large arch tunnel in my garden out of three panels of 4-gauge wire cattle fencing (also called livestock fencing), which is very thick....
Using dirty seed trays and cell is a very dangerous practice, and a very common mistake that new gardeners make. Have you ever had an entire flat of seedlings shrivel up and die on you? This is one of the biggest frustrations I hear people talk about when they are new to growing seeds. There is nothing more frustrating than spending all that time starting your seeds, then getting super excited when they finally germinate, and babying them for weeks… only to watch the entire tray of seedlings shrivel up and die off at the base....
A reader recently asked: Great question. Preparing the soil for growing vegetables is super important. A healthy and productive vegetable garden starts with the soil. In this post, I will show you how to prepare last years garden for this year. So, if you have an existing garden bed that’s not completely overgrown with weeds or grass, then this is the post for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for information about preparing a garden bed that is currently covered by grass or weeds, then try the no-dig method instead....
Propagating snake plants is a fun way to expand your collection, or share your favorites with friends. In this post I’ll show you exactly how to root cuttings in soil or water, step by step. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that it’s not difficult to propagate a snake plant, it just takes some time and patience. In this step by step guide I’ve shared information on how to propagate Sansevieria (aka mother-in-law’s tongue) through three different methods....
Using the right type of soil for snake plants is very important. So in this post, I’ll tell you all you need to know, including the best type, what properties to look for, and I’ll also give you my recipe so you can mix your own. Choosing the best soil for snake plants is a big part of keeping them healthy. The wrong kind can cause many problems, or even kill them....
Growing tarragon is surprisingly simple, and it requires very little care. In this post, I’ll teach you all about how to do it, so you’ll have the best success. Tarragon is a pleasure to grow in the home garden, and it is much easier than you might think. Beginners can even grow a bountiful crop once they know how to give tarragon the care it needs to thrive. In this guide all about growing tarragon, I’ve shared my best tips and advice so anyone can get it going....
Growing onions from seed sounds like it might be difficult, but it really isn’t. In this article, I’ll show you exactly when and how to plant onion seeds and give you tons of tips on properly caring for the seedlings. It’s easier to grow onions from seed than most people think, and you’ll have the best selection of varieties to choose from. All you need to get started is some basic equipment and know-how, and I’ve shared it all in this guide....
Propagating lavender isn’t difficult, and it’s a fun way to get more plants for your garden. In this post, I’ll show you everything you need to know about how to propagate lavender cuttings, with detailed step by step instructions. Once you learn how to propagate lavender plants from your garden, you’ll be able to grow as much of it as you want. Plus you can share it with your friends and family too!...
Before we dig in, I want to say that this is a very vast topic, and I cannot totally cover it in one blog post (there are entire books on the subject!). Since it’s such a huge topic, it can be very overwhelming for new gardeners. So in order to avoid the overwhelm, I’m just going to start by giving you an introduction to companion growing in this post. Then, to get you started quickly, I’m including a list of companion planting ideas you can try in your garden right away....
Growing spinach from seed can be challenging for beginners, but it’s actually super easy! The key is knowing how and when to do it. So, in this post I will show you everything you need to know about how to grow spinach seeds, step by step. Spinach is a fast, low maintenance vegetable that is actually very easy to grow from seed. But timing is everything! The biggest mistake newbies make is sowing the seeds too late, only to watch the plants bolt right away....
How do you start a vegetable garden? If you’re looking for all the answers about growing your own vegetables, then you’re in the right place! Once you discover just how easy it can be to grow vegetables yourself, you’ll be excited to get started. Growing vegetables is a huge topic though, and I can’t possibly cover every single detail in one article. So, this guide will be the starting point for everything you need to know about how to grow fresh vegetables in your garden....
Lipstick plants are unique, beautiful, and surprisingly easy to care for. This detailed growing guide will show you everything you need in order to keep them thriving for many years to come. If you’re looking for a beautiful and unique houseplant to add to your collection, I highly recommend getting yourself a lipstick plant. They are gorgeous, with thick waxy leaves and unique flowers – and lipstick plants will bloom profusely with the right care....
